Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
Role for MicroRNAs in Oxygenation, Nourishing of Colon TumorsResearchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have identified how molecules of microRNA are responsible for the growth of blood vessels in a model for human colon cancer. The process, called angiogenesis, results in ability of ravenous cancer cells to recruit blood vessels and receive a steady supply of nutrients and oxygen. The findings, which appear in the online version of Nature Genetics, suggest that these microRNAs might also be a good target for future therapeutics designed to slow the growth of cancer cells. Aug 1, 2006, 14:46

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
New genetic test to spotlight heightened bowel cancer riskCancer Research UK scientists have devised a new means to identify groups of people genetically more at risk from bowel cancer. This could lead to new measures to prevent the disease for thousands of people in the future, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.Jul 10, 2006, 20:18

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
$2.6 million in grants for metastatic colon cancer researchThe American Association for Cancer Research announces the first 11 recipients of the new Jeannik M. Littlefield-AACR Grants in Metastatic Colon Cancer Research. The awards, ranging to $250,000, were established in February 2006, to support innovative research projects designed to accelerate the discovery and development of new agents to treat metastatic colon cancerJul 8, 2006, 21:59

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
NSAIDs don't reduce colorectal cancer risk in chronic smokersIt is widely known that the use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 40 percent, but this protective effect may not extend to long-term smokers, who already face an increased risk of the disease, according to a study led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.Jul 1, 2006, 17:29

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
Timing of radiation treatments for colon cancer may need adjustingScientists have unexpectedly discovered that mice with the gene defect that causes colon cancer in humans can differ from normal mice in how they respond to radiation treatments. The large intestine carrying the gene defect in mice that received staggered doses of radiation was three to four times more resistant to the radiation than in control mice.Apr 10, 2006, 16:16

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
How growth hormone therapy can lead to colon polypsThe use of growth hormone therapy has been linked in some people to the development of colon polyps, a possible precursor to colorectal cancer – but medical researchers have debated the extent of a cancer risk. In addition, the reason for a polyp link to growth hormone has been unclear. But new research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill indicates the probable answer: loss of function of one of a pair of genes that normally would inhibit growth hormone signals inside the cell. The study also offers a possible molecular marker that could help determine which people taking growth hormone therapy are at increased risk for colon polyps. Researchers already know that colon polyps tend to occur in people who already have excessive amounts of growth hormone, such as those with a disease called acromegaly, or gigantism. Apr 10, 2006, 16:10

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
Review study sets treatment standard for elderly with colon cancerOne of the newest and most potent chemotherapies for colon cancer is as safe and effective for the elderly as it is for younger patients, based on a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-led data review. The analysis focused on nearly 4,000 colon cancer patients who had been enrolled in four large-scale clinical trials that began in the 1990s nationwide and in Europe. The four studies helped establish the value against colorectal cancer of the chemotherapy regimen known as FOLFOX4, a combination of the standard anticancer drugs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin and the new drug oxaliplatin. Feb 12, 2006, 18:53

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
Chemotherapy after stage 3 colon cancer increases survivalMore patients with stage III colon cancer are receiving chemotherapy after surgery, with an associated significant increase in 5-year survival, according to a study in the December 7 issue of JAMA. The study also found that women, blacks and the elderly were less likely to receive this treatment.Dec 9, 2005, 18:48

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
Increased Vitamin B consumption reduces risk of colorectal cancerAccording to a study published in the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) journal Gastroenterology, women with a high dietary intake of vitamin B6 over several years have a decreased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Women who consume moderate to large amounts of alcohol in addition to vitamin B6 have more than a 70 percent reduced risk of developing CRC.Jun 4, 2005, 02:05

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
Aspirin May Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer RecurrenceResearchers from the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), a national clinical research group in the United States, found that regular aspirin use among colon cancer patients following surgery reduced the risk of recurrence and death by approximately 50% compared with non-users. May 17, 2005, 01:54

Latest Research
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Cancer
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Colon
Check Colon Tumors for Signs of Syndrome - StudyA new study suggests that, after surgery, all colon tumors should be tested to learn if the patient may have an inherited syndrome that carries an extremely high risk of cancer. It also suggests that this prescreening can be done using a relatively inexpensive microscopy test already used in hospital pathology laboratories.May 7, 2005, 18:51